Colombia's nightmare ends: Switzerland advances to quarter-finals on penalties with giant Kobel (0-0, 4-3)
- Colombia was eliminated by Switzerland on penalties (4-3) after a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes, with Gregor Kobel being the decisive factor by stopping two shots
- The Tricolor exits the World Cup without losing any match in the regular 90 minutes, demonstrating brave and quality football with figures like Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez
- The substitution of James Rodríguez in the 66th minute for Lorenzo was a controversial decision that will be debated in Colombia, while Switzerland advances to the quarterfinals with their unbreakable defense
Football can be brutal sometimes, and it was at the crack of dawn in Vancouver against Colombia. 120 minutes of Colombian siege, 0-0, and a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to a Switzerland that sat deep and survived thanks to a Gregor Kobel in absolutely superhero mode. The Tricolor exit the World Cup without losing a single match in the 90 minutes. I'll say it again: not one. That's how cruel this sport is.
The match. Colombia were better. Full stop. Luis Díaz tried from everywhere, James controlled the tempo until Lorenzo subbed him off in the 66th minute (a decision that'll have Bogotá talking), and Switzerland barely ventured past the halfway line with any real intent. But football isn't decided by who deserves it: it's decided by goals, and the Swiss wall—which hasn't conceded one throughout the entire knockout stage—held firm for all 120 minutes with the faith of the converted.
The cursed shootout. In the penalties, Switzerland were clinical: Xhaka, Amdouni, Itten and Vargas, all four converted, with the ice-cold nerve of a Swiss watchmaker. Colombia scored through Quintero, Campaz and Luis Díaz, but Dávinson Sánchez fired his well wide and Kobel read Cucho Hernández's shot perfectly to seal it. Penalties again—the eternal Colombian nightmare.
Colombia exit with their heads held high. It hurts, but nobody should forget the Tricolor's tournament: unbeaten in the 90 minutes, brave football and a Luis Díaz playing at world-class level. Sometimes football doesn't reward what's deserved. Switzerland, meanwhile, carry on with their perfect plan: zero goals conceded in the knockout stages and into the quarters without making a peep. Whoever faces them next should ask around first.
What's next. And who do they face? The defending champions, no less: Switzerland-Argentina, the early hours of Saturday to Sunday (03:00 CET) in Kansas City. The wall versus Messi. I'm rubbing my hands together.
📊 Match report: lineups, stats and scoreline · 📰 Quarter-finals preview: how the eight arrive
Frequently asked questions
How did the Switzerland-Colombia Round of 16 match end at the 2026 World Cup?
Switzerland and Colombia drew 0-0 after extra time and Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties on 7 July 2026 at BC Place in Vancouver. Dávinson Sánchez missed his penalty and Gregor Kobel saved the spot-kick from Cucho Hernández.
Who does Switzerland face in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup?
Switzerland will face Argentina, the defending champions, in the early hours of Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 July (03:00 Spanish time) in Kansas City.
Did Colombia lose any match at the 2026 World Cup?
Not in the 90 minutes: Colombia left the 2026 World Cup unbeaten in regular time and only fell in the penalty shootout against Switzerland in the Round of 16.
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